FEMA Awards New Haven $1.8M Coronavirus Response Grant

NEW HAVEN, CT — The city was awarded a $1,874,811 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to cover its COVID-19 response efforts in 2020.

The grant fully reimbursed the city for eligible expenses incurred from January 20 through June 30, 2020. Expenses included creating and maintaining three temporary care facilities with nurses for coronavirus-positive police, fire and medical personnel, and the purchase of personal protection equipment, disinfection kits, wipes, and foldable beds.

“In the early days of the pandemic in 2020, Connecticut took quick action to protect their citizens,” FEMA Acting Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Paul Ford said.

The project was funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which reimburses eligible applicants for actions taken in the immediate response to and during recovery from a major disaster. Eligible applicants include localities, states, commonwealths, certain types of private non-profit organizations, federally recognized Tribes and territories. In Connecticut, PA project applications are submitted through the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, which coordinates the FEMA process with eligible applicants.

Ford, who oversees FEMA’s operations throughout New England, said the city was awarded the grant for its action to "save lives and protect the city of New Haven."